I did a 33 mile hillrace I did on Saturday morning. Nothing compares with that insidious, creeping agony which takes over the body in extra-long distance runs, particularly the joint rattling multi terrain jobs. I am hugely respectful of these individuals I meet, many of them women, who do what I know many people could not do even after years of training. The pain is particularly difficult to live with because it just goes on and on.
I came 30th out of 121 and I swear I wasn't expecting to be in the top 50%. If you're in recovery take note because 12 months ago I was chuffing 20 a day, and now I'm taking part in the Vasque Ultra-Running Championships (if only in an amateurish capacity). Until 7 years ago I was abusing myself daily with class A drugs. When you do that for 15 years it really does put you at a disadvantage to people who never even smoked but therein lies the answer. From the start I just relaxed and let everyone pass me, I had no expectations whatsoever. Then I just spent the day catching people up in true Tortoise fashion. I'm not saying that I've never tried to be the Hare, I'm just immensley glad that I can enjoy the ride now.
12 comments:
Cool blog Ali!
Hope your legs were ok Sun :-)
Thanks for helping me "find the way" round on Sat.
Still can't believe a Londoner had to help me round the Downs where I live...probably still be out there looking for that last check point!
Run On
Regards B
No worries you were my best running companion so far
Oh and by the way I'm considering the Ridgeway Challenge in August. But if I don't see you there maybe I'll find you running around the downs one summers day using your freestyle navigational technique!
Ridgeway? Is that 85 miles? :-0
Did the Bath Hilly 10 today comparatively a sprint ;-)
Best running companion so far ?? seem to recall you said you were a "lone" runner so not sure whether should be complimented;-)
"Free style navigation" love it could barely find my way from registration to the Start today..doh!
Hopefully catch you (and your maps) some time.
B
Yes, it's 86 actually and don't call me pedantic because that one mile will probably seem like ten, if I ever get to it.
Bath, nice area for a run.
You are the best companion so far - admittedly there's only my Dad and "ultra-competitive John" from Camden kickboxing gym to compare you to but you beat them both hands down and they're both fair runners.
Sure you will catch me, but I'll leave the maps at home so I don't look like quite so much of a prat.
Pedantic?..& I thought it was 86.4 ;-)
Are you running it all yourself or as part of a relay?
'spose i'll have to invest in one of those dreaded camel back thingys & run with a straw..that hopefully won't break my back!
Managed to get third (lady) place in a road 10K on Sun.. ulp..so much for this ultra running malarky slowing things down
Run B
Brilliant you got 3rd. that's a real place.
Thinking I might run it all. I'll also have the possible 1000K relay thing I'm trying to organize going on around then... so get your camel back ready.
Hey mate...gotta update this blog of yours...I guess that you can't very well your machine in your runs...but keep us posted on cruises.
Hi Ali :-)
After downloading the Ridgeway Challenge info was gutted to realise the race starts at 12.30 pm (for those hoping to go sub 24 hrs) I was hoping it would start early morning say 5.00am so not starting in August heat and to hopefully reduce night time running :-( Chap at Kennet Kanter today explained to me they aim for more running/walking in the cool of night...which still seems a bit lopsided to me. Ah well alongside the camel's hump I'll have to purchase one of those dodgy miner head light things..considering I get lost in daylight I do not think this bodes well! :-(
Hope you are running well...that 1000Km relay thing sounds well impressive! Makes my 12.5 mile leg of the Cotswold Relay (total 110ish mile) sound well...lame
Run On B
Just realised if I do Ridgeway that's an 86 miler, a 30 miler (Pumlumon challenge) a 50 miler (Long Mynd Challenge) and another 50 odd miler (1000K in a day relay)all in the 5 weeks of late Aug to early Oct. Need to apply some recovery principles here and be a bit sensible. I'm already signed up to pumlumon and long mynd as part of the Vasque series and can't miss the 1000K relay as thats my own event so I'll have to give the Ridgeway a miss this year. Bumbleb you are most welcome to come to London to run the 1000K with us if you like,and that offer is open to anyone in recovery or sympathetic to our cause.(early sept. still awaiting confirmation of date and venue) most likely to be Lea Valley or Finsbury Park - run/cycle or walk as far as you can in one day. I'm still hoping though that Arsenal will let us use the concourse around the Emirates Stadium. otherwise catch you around the Wessex Downs no doubt. I'm doing the South Downs 30 on July 30th.
Fair Enough Ali...always good to learn moderation! ;-) not that I have yet...your scedule sounds very hectic the Ridgeway can wait for another year!
Have had few weeks off "racing" as injured a Glute muscle & tendons...real bummer tee hee!
Rest,specific weight taining & a couple of very painful sports massage sessions seem to have helped..phew so think I will attempt a night owl prowl round the ridgeway suitable kitted up. A chap I know is also going to do it and we are about the same speed so hopefully I wont get lost. A couple of groups of people from the gym where I work are going to wait on route with plates of pasta for me! My son has suggested taking his Nintendo DS incase I get bored just running! :-)
All the best for your events especially the one you are organisng :-)
BumbleB
Hi B, dont know if you come on here anymore, but is that you on the Ridgeway (3rd place!!) 86 miles in 21 hrs JESUS
lots of respect to you.
Ali
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